Golden Whip Stream
When exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Golden Whip Stream, named after the Golden Whip Rock it flows through, is a must-visit attraction during your Zhangjiajie tours. Here, you may feel as if you are immersed in a feast of imagination, as you can see stone peaks of various shapes. The stream stretches 7,500 meters in length, running east to west across the entire forest park. The scenery on both banks is picturesque, earning it the title of "the most beautiful gorge in the world."
Golden Whip Stream Facts
What to See at Golden Whip Stream
Golden Whip Crag (Golden Whip Rock)
This is a famous scenic spot in the Golden Whip Stream of Wulingyuan National Park. The peak is slender at the top and thick at the bottom, with four distinct edges. The edge surfaces are covered with joint stripes, forming whip-like sections, resembling a long whip vertically inserted into the earth. Whenever the sunset shines upon it, the whip-like body is covered in gold, glittering and dazzling.
Magical Hawk Protecting the Whip
In Golden Whip Stream Canyon, there stands a peak resembling an eagle to the left of Golden Whip Rock. With its head held high, beak hooked, and wings spread wide, as if ready to engage in combat with any who dare to challenge the golden whip, earning it the name "Magical Hawk Protecting the Whip."
Two Tortoises Visiting Stream
This is a distinctive natural scenic spot composed of two overlapping turtle-shaped rock formations. The shapes resemble a pair of turtles, one atop the other in an overlapping position, with their heads and legs protruding. Their heads face the Golden Whip Stream as if they are exploring the secrets of the water.
Two Couple Meeting from Afar
Two stone peaks stand opposite each other in the valley, resembling a couple who have been separated for a long time and are gazing at each other with tender, affectionate eyes.
Top Things to Do at Golden Whip Stream
Admire Majestic Mountains and Peculiar Peaks
Along Golden Whip Stream, there are numerous stone peaks with peculiar shapes, lifelike and vivid. Some pierce through the clouds, some seem to be carved by a knife, and some resemble enormous scrolls standing quietly between heaven and earth. Aside from the famous Golden Whip Rock, there are also other formations for you to discover, such as Bajie Carrying His Wife on the Back, Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother, and Camel Peak.
Relax in the Natural Oxygen Bar
Zhangjiajie’s Golden Whip Stream can be called a natural oxygen bar. The vegetation here is lush, with trees remaining green throughout the four seasons. The concentration of negative ions far exceeds the standards of typical urban parks, reaching over 100,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter of air at its peak. Here, you can not only enjoy the coolness but also breathe freely, relax your mind and body, and revel in the beauty of nature.
Play in the Water at Golden Whip Stream
Golden Whip Stream in China is a great place for playing in the water, especially for kids, with its crystal-clear currents. You can take off your shoes, wade and play on the shallows, and feel the coolness of the stream water. Besides, you may try catching fish and shrimp, but be warned, the fish and shrimp here are very agile and not easy to catch.
Encounter Wild Macaques
The wild macaques in Golden Whip Stream are protected animals in China. They are not domesticated and are wild animals that survive independently. The lively and cute wild macaques appear along the way, and you can stop and play with them. Most of the time, they sit on the guardrails by the road, waiting for tourists to toss them food.
Golden Whip Stream Hiking
Zhangjiajie’s Golden Whip Stream is one of the best hiking destinations in China. For those who love hiking, it is absolutely a place not to be missed. The stream is approximately 7.5 kilometers in length, and it takes about 3 hours to complete the hike. The entire hiking trail of Golden Whip Stream is well-designed and suitable for visitors of all ages. There are multiple rest stops along the way for tourists to take a break and replenish energy.
Golden Whip Stream Scenic Route
1-hour Light Hiking Route
Oxygen Bar Square → Golden Whip Crag → Magical Hawk Protecting the Whip → Splitting the Mountain to Save MotherThis is the first third section of Golden Whip Stream, which is also its highlight. If you don't want to hike the entire route, experiencing this section will still make your trip of hiking in Zhangjiajie fulfilling. The little monkeys are also mainly concentrated in this area.
3-hour Full-trail Hiking Route
Oxygen Bar Square → Golden Whip Crag → Magical Hawk Protecting the Whip → Two Tortoises Visiting Stream → Two Couple Meeting from Afar → Purple Grass Pond → Leaping Fish Pond → Camel Peak → Water Winding around Four GatesThis route is suitable for visitors with good physical stamina. Just note that the Oxygen Bar Square is located at the South Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. If you find yourself near the East Gate and want to hike Golden Whip Stream, you can take Water Winding around Four Gates as your starting point, and the destination will be the Oxygen Bar Square.
Tips for Hiking Golden Whip Stream
- Wear comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes, loose and breathable clothing.
- Bring a backpack of moderate capacity to carry water, snacks, and personal belongings. Though there are multiple convenience stores in the scenic attraction, the prices are relatively high.
- Do not feed or provoke the macaques randomly to prevent being scratched.
- If you travel to Zhangjiajie with your kids and decide to hike the Golden Whip Stream or play in the water, be sure to keep a close eye on them.
Best Time to Visit Golden Whip Stream
Golden Whip Stream in Zhangjiajie is beautiful in all seasons, but it is especially charming in summer, which is the best time for visiting there. When other places are unbearably hot, the temperature here in summer remains comfortably around 25℃. In addition, the water volume is abundant in summer, making the scenery most spectacular.
How to Get to Golden Whip Stream
Golden Whip Stream is located in the eastern part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. You can choose to enter through the East Gate or the South Gate. To get there, after arriving in Zhangjiajie by plane or train, you can take a bus from the Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station or the tourism hub next to the railway station to the East Gate or South Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The ticket price is 13 yuan. If you are traveling in Zhangjiajie with companions and have a lot of luggage, you can also choose to take a taxi, which will cost around 50-60 yuan.
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